The entire season hinges on this UEFA Cup tie, says Everton goalkeeper Howard

Tim Howard has warned his Everton team-mates their stuttering season stands at the crossroads in Liege tonight, with more than just their hard-won UEFA Cup place at stake.

David Moyes' side need to bounce back from derby defeat against Liverpool by beating Belgian champions Standard, who almost toppled the Kop and drew 2-2 in the first leg at Goodison Park, if they are to make the group stages.

Sticky situation: Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard helps team-mate Joseph Yobo to his feet after his own goal during the UEFA Cup first round, first leg clash against Standard Liege.

Manager Moyes, yet to sign a new contract, is looking for the spirit of Kharkov 12 months ago, where the club teetered on the brink of an early exit at 2-1 down before goals from James McFadden and Victor Anichebe rescued their campaign. Everton went on to enjoy a season that yielded fifth place in the Premier League.

Goalkeeper Howard said: 'It would be awful to be out. There is no question that last season one of the things that kept us going was being involved in Europe. Our League form got better and better the more games we played.

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'Everything just started snowballing for us - we'd play good midweek, then play good at the weekend. Looking at things positively, all we have to do is go to Liege and, if we win the game, we're through.

'Sure, it's not going to be easy. We have to put a lot of things right and we're under no illusions - we can't just snap our fingers. We were all over them in the second half at Goodison - it's important that we stand up now and be counted.'

Moyes admitted: 'We have given ourselves a hard task, but it's similar to what we achieved last year in Kharkov. We'll use that as motivation. A win here could kickstart our season.'